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NECROLOGY 



OF THE 



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AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY, 



PREPARED BY 



NATHANIEL PAINE, 



FOR THE SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING, APRIL, 1892. 



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NECROLOGY. 



Two American members and one foreign member have 
died during the past six months : Dom Pedro, late Emperor 
of Brazil ; John Gr. Metcalf, M.D., of Mendon, Mass., and 
John E. Mason, M.D., of Washington, D. C. 

As full biographical notices have already appeared in 
various publications in regard to the late Emperor, it is not 
deemed necessary to present an extended notice at this 
time. 

Dom Pedro II. de Alcantara was born at Rio de 
Janeiro, December 2, 1825, and was the son of Dom Pedro 
I. of Braganza and Bourbon (King of Portugal and Brazil), 
and of Leopoldina, Archduchess of Austria. Brazil having 
declared itself independent in 1822, Dom Pedro I. was pro- 
claimed constitutional Emperor, and four years later, abdi- 
cated the throne of Portugal in favor of his infant daughter. 
Donna Maria de Gloria. In 1831, having grown weary of 
the strong revolutionary tendencies of the Brazilians, he ab- 
dicated that throne also, in favor of his son, then only five 
years of age. A Council or Regency administered the gov- 
ernment until May, 1840, when Dom Pedro was declared of 
age though only in his fifteenth year. The young Emperor 
had received the best education, and care had been taken to 
make him worthy of the high position he was to occupy. In 
1843, he was married to Princess Theresa Christiana Maria, 
sister of Francis I., late King of Naples. From this union 
there were four children, of whom only one survives him, 
Isabelle, wife of Comte D' Eu, son of the Due de Nemours 
of the French house of the Bourbon and Orleans line. In 
1852, Dom Pedro assisted in the overthrow of the dictator 



Rosas of the Argentine Republic, and thereby acquired not 
only an extension to the boundary of his Empire, but the 
free navigation of the Rio de La Plata, a great advantage 
to the business interests of the country. The most impor- 
tant event of his reign was the issuing of an imperial decree 
in 1871 for the gradual but total abolition of slavery in 
Brazil. Other enactments of a like nature were made after- 
wards, and in 1880, during the absence of the Emperor, 
the Crown Princess Isabelle, then acting as Regent, freed 
all the remaining slaves by royal proclamation. 

In 1860, Dom Pedro travelled in all parts of his Empire, 
making himself familiar with the wants of his people, and 
in 1871, made an extended tour in Europe. He was accom- 
panied by the Empress, and was with her the recipient of 
many honors and attentions, but as a rule declined such 
public demonstrations as are usuall}^ paid to royalty, prefer- 
ring to travel as a private gentleman. In 1876, he visited 
the United States to attend the Centennial Exhibition at 
Philadelphia, and also visited the principal cities of the 
country both North and South. He was specially interested 
in studying the various institutions of the United States, 
industrial, benevolent and social. While in this country, 
the Emperor visited Boston, and an invitation was extended 
to him to visit the rooms of this Society at Worcester, but 
other engagements prevented his acceptance. He after- 
wards visited Europe again, making a most favorable im- 
pression for his energy, scientific zeal and public spirit. 

Dom Pedro had the reputation of being one of the most 
enlightened sovereigns of his time, and he was endeared to 
his own people and commanded the respect of all civilized 
nations. While Emperor, great advances were made in the 
material civilization of Brazil. Railways were constructed, 
ocean commerce promoted, and the great river of the 
Empire was opened to steam communication. Schools 
were established, and much done for the intellectual growth 
and welfare of the people. Dom Pedro was a man of irre- 



proachable character, great intelligence, cultivated tastes, 
of polished manner and a patron of the arts and sciences. 
He was a believer in progress, and a patriot whose first 
thoughts were for his country and not for self. 

He was crowned Emperor July 18, 1841, his reign lasting 
nearly half a century, and terminating with the declaration 
of a Repul)lic, November 15, 1889, when he was banished 
from the country with all the members of the royal family. 
Dom Pedro went to Lisbon with his family, and later to 
France where he s})ent the remaining years of his life in 
the neighborhood of Paris. The Empress, overcome by 
the cares and anxiety of these critical times, died shortly 
after their banishment from Brazil. 

Dom Pedro died at Paris December 5, 1891, at one 
o'clock A. M., and his body, after lying in state at the 
church of the Madeleine, was taken to Lisbon for burial. 
He was elected a member of this Society, April 28, 1858. 

John George Metcalf died at his residence in 
Mendon, Mass., January 12, 1892, at 5 P. M. He was 
born in Norfolk, now a part of Franklin, Mass., Sept. 10, 
1801, and graduated from Brown University in 1820. He 
studied medicine in Franklin, and in 1826, moved to 
Mendon, where he practiced for over fifty years. He was 
a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and at one 
time served as Vice-President, and was one of the founders 
of the Thurber Medical Society of Milford, Mass. At the 
time of his death, he was the oldest living member of the 
Worcester County Medical Society. 

Very soon after his settlement in Mendon, he became 
interested in town aflliirs, and for nearly fifty years acted 
in some official capacity. For a quarter of a century he 
was town treasurer, resigning that office in his 84th year, 
at which time complimentary resolutions were adopted by 
the town. He was a School Committee man for about 
forty years, and for many years was practically manager 



of the town schools. In November, 1857, he was elected 
a State Senator for the Southeast District of Worcester 
County, as a republican, in opposition to the late Hamilton 
B. Staples, who was the democratic candidate, beino- the 
first election for Senator under the amendment to the Con- 
stitution ratified by the people in May of the same year. 
He was re-elected in the following year. For many years 
he held several town offices at once, and was a member of 
most of the important committees of the town for a period 
of fifty years or more. His great interest in the town, and 
the respect and confidence in which he was held by his 
fellow-citizens caused him to be selected to preside at the 
Bi-Centennial Celebration in 1867, at which time he gave 
an address of welcome. 

During the late Civil War, Dr. Metcalf was one of the 
most patriotic of Mendon's citizens, giving a great deal of 
time to raising money and recruits, and in securing relief 
for the families of the soldiers who had died in service. 
His interest in the war was so great that it caused him to 
make a large collection of newspaper cuttings, and to 
preserve letters and other manuscript matter relating to it. 
These collections, which were begun at the first intimation 
of the impending conflict, are contained in fifty-six thick 
octavo volumes, which after the war were presented to the 
American Antiquarian Society by Dr. Metcalf, and now 
form a valuable and important part of our historical matter 
relatinof to the war. The volumes are entitled: — "The 
Irrepressible Conflict ; a Scrap Book of the Great Rebel- 
lion of 1861, By John G. Metcalf, M.D., Member of the 
American Antiquarian Society, the New England Historic- 
Genealogical Society and the American Social Science 
Association." 

Dr. Metcalf was a religious man, and was deeply inter- 
ested in the Unitarian Society of Mendon, serving for 
many years as Superintendent of its Sunday-School. He 
was one of the early Abolitionists, and when the Free-Soil 



party was formed, was active in its work, and has been 
identified with the Republican party since its organization. 
The town records show abundant evidence of his anti-slav- 
ery and anti-rebellion sentiments, in the numerous resolu- 
tions of a patriotic nature proposed by him. He was a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and at one time was 
Master of Montgomery lodge at Medway, since removed to 
Milford, Mass. Dr. Metcalf compiled the "Annals of the 
Town of Mendon, 1659-1880," which is a volume of over 
seven hundred pages published by the town, and which 
contains a vast amount of facts in relation to the town 
and its early residents. He also prepared the notice 
of Mendon in the "History of Worcester County," pub- 
lished in 1879, by C. F. Jewett & Co. He was elected 
a member of this Society, April 24, 1867, and was in the 
habit of attending its meetings till advancing years pre- 
vented. At the meeting of April, 1871, he acted as 
Recording Secretary ^?'o tempore. 

Dr. Metcalf retired from active practice of his profession 
in 1886, and for the last five or six years of his life, owing 
to the infirmities of old age had become somewhat of an 
invalid, and for about two years had not left his house. 
He was most highly respected by his fellow-citizens, a 
man of great strength of character, of honest convictions 
which he was not afraid to express, of studious habits 
and greatly interested in historical studied. It is said that 
although very decided in his views, he had the faculty of 
seldom making enemies ; that he was especially fond of 
young people, and that there was hardly one in his neigh- 
borhood who did not often ride with and visit him. As a 
Christian gentleman, and a valued member of our Society, 
we are glad to pay this brief tribute to his memory. 

John Edwin Mason, of Washington, D. C, was 
elected to membership in this Society April 28, 1869. He 
was born in Petersham, Mass., September 28, 1831, and 



8 

was the son of Luther (born at Greenwich, Mass.) and 
Persis (Haskins) Mason. Most of his education was 
obtained at New Salem Academy in which he always main- 
tained a deep interest, being for many years president of 
the Alumni Association. After leaving the Academy, he 
went to New Haven, Conn., where he was engaged for a 
time in literary and newspaper work, and was successful 
in both. 

Later in life he was a civil engineer, residing in Manches- 
ter, N. H., where he made a good record in that profession. 
He surveyed the State of New Hampshire and made many 
of the maps as they exist to-day, also publishing several 
county maps. 

At the breaking out of the late civil war, he enlisted in 
the Ninth New Hampshire regiment, and served as a lieu- 
tenant of that regiment and in various other capacities in 
the army till 1864, when he was discharged on account of 
physical disabilities. He was at one time acting on the 
staft* of General Samuel D. Sturges as assistant adjutant 
general, and left the service with the rank of captain. 
After the war he returned to Manchester, remaining there 
a short time, but finall}' settling in Washington, and study- 
ing medicine at Georgetown University, where he received 
the degree of M.D. in 1868 ; but he did not actively 
practice his profession although he was at one time exam- 
ining surgeon for the pension office. 

He was a prominent member of the Masonic and Odd 
Fellows fraternities, also of the Grand Army of the Republic 
and the Order of the Loyal Legion, the New Hampshire 
Medical Society and the New Hampshire Historical Society. 
He was a member of All Souls (Unitarian) Church at Wash- 
ington, and interested in its welfare. In politics he was a 
strong republican, and was often active in campaign work. 

On his election to membership in the Antiquarian Society 
in a letter to Rev. Alonzo Hill, D.D., the Recording Secre- 
tary, he said : 



9 

" It will be my aim to render myself in some way worthy 
of the trust confided in me, and become useful to the 
Society, in all ways that lie in my power. My leisure 
time has been occupied in the last fifteen years, in making 
collections and reading and studying antiquarian subjects, 
and my taste and inclinations lead me to still farther pursue 
such investigations in my own humble way." 

Dr. Mason died at Washington, D. C, March 5, 1892, 
at 8 o'clock A.M. His funeral was under the charge of 
the Masons, Odd Fellows and Grand Army organizations, 
who held appropriate services at his grave in Arlington 
National Cemetery. He leaves a reputation for great na- 
tive strength of character, was of a very genial disposition, 
full of fun and good humor, and commanded the respect 
of all who knew him. 

Dr. Mason was a worker, very enthusiastic, of great 
energy, and entered into the work of the organizations with 
which he was most intimately connected with a determina- 
tion to do his full share in carrying out their objects. 

At the time of his death he was a clerk in the pension 
office, and had previously been connected with the General 
Land Office at Washington. He l)equeathed his library to 
the Odd Fellows Literary Association of Washington, and 
five hundred dollars to All Souls Church of the same city 
for the erection of a tablet to his memory as a former trus- 
tee of the Church. 

Since the foregoing notices of deceased members were 
written, the Council have received the information for the 
first time, of the death of Mr. Charles B. Salisbury, who 
died nearly four years ago. 

Charles Babcock Salisbury was born at "Ever- 
green Terrace," Scott, Cortland Co., N, Y., August 20, 
1821, and was the son of Nathan and Lucretia (Babcock) 
Salisbury. 

After leaving school, he prepared himself for entering 
Union College, N. Y., in the class of the second year, but 



10 

some of his school-mates having gone to Oberlin College, 
Ohio, he decided to go to that institution. Not being 
pleased, however, he remained but a short time, and having 
a strong desire to see more of the country west of Ohio, he 
made an extended tour through the West, and became es- 
pecially interested in the Archaeological history of that part 
of the country. He was for a time somewhat broken in 
health and did not return to college studies as he had 
anticipated. In 1850, Mr. Salisbury was appointed assist- 
ant in Analytic Chemistry in the State laboratory of New 
York, under the State geological survey, and retained that 
position for about four years. 

During the years from 1858 to 1861, he was engaged in 
connection with his brother. Dr. James H. Salisbury (now 
of New York City) , in exploring the earthworks and mounds 
of the Ohio Valley. He opened many mounds, obtained 
numerous valuable relics and implements and also made 
surveys and drawings of the ancient earthworks. In 1862-3, 
Mr. Salisbury and his brother presented to the Antiquarian 
Society valuable manuscripts with several illustrative, 
drawings. One is entitled, "Ancient Pictographic or Sym- 
bolic Rock and Earth writings, in Licking, Fairfield, 
Belmont, Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties, Ohio," another, 
"Ancient Monuments and Inscriptions on and near the 
Summit between the head waters of the Hockina: and 
Licking Rivers, Ohio." These contributions and others sub- 
sequently presented were accompanied by numerous plans 
and sketches. Special notice of these contributions was 
made by the librarian (Dr. Samuel F. Haven) in his report 
of April, 1863. Still farther contributions were made by 
the brothers Salisbury in 1870, and were considered of 
such value and importance as to be referred to a special 
committee consisting of Francis Parkman, J. Hammond 
Trumbull and Samuel A. Green, who unanimously recom- 
mended that portioi^s of the manuscripts be published, with 
such plans and sketches as seemed necessary to illustrate 



11 

them. It is to be regretted that the resources of the Pub- 
lishing Fund, then hardly enough to print the Semi-Annual 
Proceedings, were insufficient to warrant their publication. 

Mr. Salisbury was from early manhood to his later years 
deeply interested in geological, botanical and archisological 
investigations, and has left evidence of this in a large 
collection of minerals, fossils and antiquarian relics. He 
was a most careful, truthful, and pains-taking investigator, 
and has made by far one of the most exhaustive surveys 
of the ancient earthworks and mounds in Ohio. 

He was elected a member of the American Antiquarian 
Society October 21, 1863. 






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